Filed to story: The Billionaire’s Replacement Wife (River & Noah) Novel Online Free
Greta explained with tenderness, “Thomas and I just wanted to visit you. We consider you part of our family because you’re Ellie’s child.”
River felt a pang at the mention of her mother’s nickname and lowered her gaze.
Seeing her reaction, Neil nodded at Thomas.
Thomas continued. “River, I believe it’s time you learned more about your mother and why we won’t pressure you to rejoin our family.”
River nodded slowly, signaling her readiness to hear the story.
Thomas said, “I’m sure Neil has told you that your father was a live–in son–in–law, and your grandfather opposed their marriage. Initially, your grandfather wanted your mother to divorce your father after Neil was born, but your mother stood her ground.
“She continued to defy your grandfather even when she became pregnant with you during the third year of their marriage. As your birth neared, your grandfather changed tactics and falsely accused your father of stealing company documents.
“He presented your parents with two options: either driving your father out of Xander Residence or sending him to prison. Your father was a tough nut to crack, a very responsible man. He chose prison over divorce for the sake of your mother and you.
“When your mother learned that, she fell out with your grandfather, threatening to cut ties with him if your father was forced to leave. Consequently, your parents left without taking a penny of the Xander family’s wealth.
“Initially, we tried to persuade them to return, but they stopped contacting us, perhaps because we came on too strong. We even hired people to search for them for five years without success until the police finally found them. It was then that we learned about your father’s passing.”
River abruptly grabbed the blanket and turned to Thomas. “How did he die?”
“Drowning.” Thomas replied.
River’s eyes widened. “Did he take his own life?”
Sighing. Thomas shook his head. “We don’t think so. He loved your mother more than himself and would never abandon her.
“What about the murderer, then?” River asked anxiously.
Thomas and Greta displayed pain on their faces.
“We didn’t find any clues,” Thomas revealed.
“That’s impossible!” River said, growing agitated. “There must be clues if he was murdered, unless….
She stopped short, considering the possibility that the murderer was wealthy and influential. If not, why would there be no evidence?
Thomas smiled bitterly and said, “We all know what’s going on, but we lack concrete evidence.”
River suppressed her emotions and asked, “What about my mother?”
Thomas paused, his eyes turning red. Sobbing in pain, he continued. “Ellie took her own life. When we found her, she had already consumed many sleeping pills.”
Greta was now crying profusely. “We didn’t see you when we found your mother, River. We didn’t even know where you had gore. We only learned about your identity from Nell. Your parents‘ deaths haunt us with remorse and guilt because we couldn’t stop them from leaving in time…”
The ward was filled with tears.
River leaned against the bed, overwhelmed by complex emotions. She had never met her parents and didn’t know their character.
Was she sad? She had been sadder when Katie, her adoptive mother, passed away. But they were her blological parents. As their daughter, she couldn’t accept her father’s mysterious death.
The overwhelming stress suffocated her, but it had been so long ago. She wondered how she could find any clues.
Neil said gently, “River, Uncle Tom and Aunt Greta also feel terrible about this.”
“You didn’t find any clues, or you didn’t try your best?” River voiced her doubt.
Neil tried to convince River. “The police’s capabilities were limited back then, and the technology wasn’t as advanced as it is now.”
“No!” River asserted firmly. “There must be some clues!”
She then turned to Thomas. “Where did my father work after he left the Xanders?”
Thomas replied, “He worked at a construction company that went out of business nearly 20 years ago.”
“Then we can start there!”
Thomas and Neil exchanged glances before Neil sighed. “We’ve already investigated, River. We won’t find.
anything.”
“I’m sure we’ll find leads if we locate the former boss of that company, River suggested.
“He passed away from liver cancer eight years ago,” Neil informed her. “We looked into it.” After a brief pause, River added, “There must be some other clues we haven’t considered.”
Suddenly, Noah entered and calmly spoke. “Department of Commerce and the police station.”
Everyone turned to look at him simultaneously.
Neil frowned and remarked, “I didn’t expect you to eavesdrop.”
Noah glanced at the door. “I wasn’t eavesdropping. The door isn’t closed.”
However, Greta wasn’t bothered and asked Noah, “Why did you mention the Department of Commerce?”
Noah took his seat. “If River’s father was killed, he might have been involved in something others wanted.”
River furrowed her brow at his conjecture. “So, you’re suggesting that my father might have crossed someone’s interests. All the bidding contracts are documented if it is a business competition. We can start our investigation there. Is that what you’re implying?”
Noah nodded. “Yes. Your time as my secretary wasn’t in vain.”
River turned to Neil and said, “Neil, can you check the bidding records of the company during our father’s tenure?”
Neil agreed, “Of course, leave it to me.
“River, we’ll do our best too,” Greta reassured her. “Take some rest. Don’t stress yourself.”
River nodded. “Alright, I will… Uncle Tom, Aunt Greta.”
Greta held River’s hand in excitement. “That’s my girl! I’m truly honored you’ve embraced me as your aunt.”
River smiled, albeit helplessly.
After Neil took Thomas and Greta out for a meal, River asked Noah, “Aren’t you going to grab a bite?”
“Reuben will bring it here,” Noah replied while texting on his phone.
River briefly glanced at his phone. “If you’re busy, you should head back to Novamere.”
Noah paused, flashing River a smile. “So, you’re saying you don’t mind me staying here if I’m not busy?”
River regretted her words instantly, feeling speechless. She decided to ignore him
Half an hour later, Reuben delivered lunch for them.
It was no longer just a bowl of chicken soup but a lavish feast.
The delightful aroma stirred River’s appetite.
After Reuben neatly arranged the overbed desk, he placed the dishes on it one by one. “Mr. De Marco asked me to get these for you, Ms. Healy. They’re all your favorites.”
River’s hand stiffened as she picked up a fork, her cheeks turning red. She wasn’t accustomed to Noah’s recent attentiveness, and Reuben’s words made her uneasy. She couldn’t adapt to Noah’s sudden change.
“You talk too much,” Noah snapped at Reuben.
Immediately, Reuben fell silent and obediently opened the takeout containers. He stood by quietly.
Noah glared at him. “Get out!”
Surprised, Reuben glanced at River and realized Noah wanted to feed her.
Once Reuben left, Noah got up and grabbed the fork River was struggling with.
“Why didn’t you ask for my help if you couldn’t open it?” Noah asked, his tone gloomy.
River was rendered speechless yet again. She knew she wasn’t helpless.
After unwrapping the fork, Noah scooped some food onto a spoon and held it close to River’s lips.
River shivered–she couldn’t accept his care. She snatched the fork with her left hand. “Stop feeding me. I can eat by myself. I can’t get used to you taking care of me.”
Noah silently agreed before getting up and saying, “I need to use the restroom.”
With that, he left.
River slowly used her left hand to take some food. As she was about to eat, she heard a text notification. She reached for the phone on her bedside table, assuming it was her phone.
After entering the password, River received a text from Daniella.
[Don’t worry too much, Noah. Axel and I will be waiting for you to come back.]
River was stunned by this unexpected message. It turned out to be Noah’s phone, and she had accidentally entered the password.
message from To her surprise, Noah used her birthday as his phone’s password, allowing her to read the message Daniella.
Daniella claimed she would wait for Noah’s return with Axel, who happened to be River’s son. This raised River’s concern, as Daniella had mistreated Axel in the past.
How could Noah tolerate her presence with their son? River questioned Noah’s intentions, wondering why he had said those words that had caught her off guard. Did he realize how sarcastic they seemed?
River placed the phone back on the table and glanced at the dishes in front of her, but her appetite had vanished. The pain in her heart made her regain her composure. She realized she shouldn’t trust Noah based solely on a few hollow words and actions.
A few minutes later, Noah returned to the hospital room. When he saw River sitting on the bed, looking distant and cold, he frowned, “Why aren’t you eating?” Noah asked, taking a seat beside the bed. “Is it difficult for you to eat with your left hand?”
River slowly raised her eyes to meet his, her expression aloof. “You should go back.”